The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.5 points to 98.8 in February, remaining slightly above the survey’s 52-year average of 98, NFIB reported.
Wood Markets News
US Construction Employment Falls in February
US construction employment fell by 11,000 in February, following a revised gain of 48,000 in January, the BLS and NAHB reported.
US Nonresidential Construction Spending Falls in December
US nonresidential construction spending fell 0.6% in December 2025 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.24 trillion, the US Census Bureau and ABC reported.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for March 6
As of Friday, March 6, nine large fires are actively burning across the US. Year-to-date, 474,707 acres have been burned.
Mass Timber Building Tops Out at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, WA
Crews placed the final beam on a 57,000-square-foot mass timber administration building at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, WA.
Domtar to Temporarily Reopen Outardes Sawmill in Baie-Comeau, QC, in April
Domtar will temporarily reopen its Outardes sawmill in Baie-Comeau, QC on April 20, bringing back workers to clear inventory, Radio-Canada reported.
US Housing Affordability Improves Marginally in Q4
US housing affordability improved slightly in 2025Q4, with a median-income family needing 34% of earnings to purchase a median-priced new home, NAHB reported.
US Nonfarm Payroll Declines by 92,000 in February; Unemployment at 4.4%
US nonfarm payroll employment declined by 92,000 in February, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%.
US Existing-Home Median Mortgage Payments Drop Year-Over-Year in February
On Thursday, Redfin reported that the median US monthly housing payment was $2,591 during the four weeks ending March 1, […]
BC Budget Includes CA$30 Million in Wildfire Risk Reduction, Equipment, and Training
BC’s 2026 budget allocates CA$30 million to wildfire risk reduction, including FireSmart programs, contractor equipment support, and Indigenous forestry training.





